My Top 4 At-Gym Flat Stomach Exercises

Just started going to the gym? Interested in working on your mid-section to burn fat and tone your stomach to get that perfect six pack abs but not sure where to start? Shredding fat around your stomach isn’t easy – I often get asked by my clients what exercises they should be doing so I thought I’d write them here to not only help my clients but other Six Pack Workout visitors. So if you’re serious about tightening your midsection here’s a look at my top 4 ab exercises for a flat stomach and defined abs that you can do at the gym. Not at the gym? Go here to view my top 3 at-home ab exercises. So what are the best ab exercises you can do at the gym? Take a look at the video below where personal trainer John demonstrates these exercises correctly and in perfect form from 2 different angles. Descriptions and instructions on each exercise follow below the video.

Hanging Leg Lift

The hanging leg lift is a tough isolation exercise to perform depending on your shoulder and leg strength but if done correctly, is an effective abdominal exercise. It’s also great at strengthening your core.

Hanging from a bar by your extended arms while ensuring your back is straight.

Raise your legs parallel to the ground with your feet crossed.

Lower your legs to the point where your knees are directly below you.

This is one hanging leg lift.

Decline Bench Sit-Up

Decline bench sit-ups are effective at working your core, back, and hips. Due to working against gravity as you lift yourself up, your muscles work harder than doing traditional situps. Ultimately this movement strengthens your core helping you develop good posture and balance.

Sit on a decline bench with your legs resting through the pads.
Cross your arms across your chest.
Rest your back against the bench.
Move yourself forward until your elbows touch your legs.
Lower yourself down to lie flat on the bench again.
That is one decline bench sit-up.

Bent Leg Crunch

Bent leg crunches are a better exercise than regular crunches due to the additional abdominal activity, especially in the lower part of the stomach.

Lay on your back on the floor while keeping half your body at a 90-degree angle.
Support your upper body with your hands behind your head in order to help you push your upper body.
Push your upper body towards your knees to bring it closer to your knees.
Hold position for 2 seconds.
Move your upper body back to the resting position.
This is one bent leg crunch.

Leg Lifts

Get over to the dip machine for some leg lifts – Another exercise that is essential to exposing those abs and is seen as one of the most effective. It also targets your hip flexors.

Position your forearms on the padded bars with your hands holding the handles at the ends of the padded bars. Your body should be completely straight.

While keeping your legs straight, lift your legs up as high as you can without bending your legs and while keeping them together and straight.

I recommend around 10-12 reps per exercise for beginners and 12-18 reps for those of you that are more experienced.

By the end of this gym workout your abs should be burning! Thanks again to John for providing excellent examples of the above exercises and in perfect form. Got any thoughts or comments about the above exercises or know of any better ones? Let me know in the comments area below or send me an email, I’d love to hear your approach to a flat stomach in the gym.